Community Conservation Assistance Program

The Community Conservation Assistance Program (CCAP) is a voluntary, incentive-based program designed to improve water quality through the installation of various best management practices (BMPs) on urban, suburban and rural lands, not directly involved in agricultural production. CCAP consists of educational, technical and financial assistance provided to landowners by local soil and water conservation districts.

Eligibility

Eligible landowners may include: 

  • Businesses
  • Community groups
  • Homeowners
  • Parks churches
  • Schools

Essentially, all private and publicly owned lands are eligible for the program.

About the Program

As North Carolina's land use is changing and rapidly becoming more urbanized, CCAP can educate landowners on water quality and stormwater management, as well as retrofit practices to treat polluted stormwater runoff and ultimately improve the water quality of our state's waterways.

Apply

Interested landowners should submit application to Travis Smith at the Burke Soil and Water Conservation District. Application will be ranked based on local water quality priorities. If eligible, a conservation plan is prepared for the application to install the BMP (a landscaper may be used). 

Awards

The landowner may be reimbursed up to 75% of the pre-established average cost of the BMP. Some contracts require a 10 year maintenance period on installed practices and may, during this time, be subject to random checks by the District personnel to ensure proper use.

Approved Management Best Practices

The following are approved best management practices (BMPs) for CCAP:

  • Abandoned well closure
  • Backyard rain garden
  • Backyard wetland
  • Bioretention area
  • Cistern
  • Critical area planting
  • Diversion
  • Grassed swale
  • Impervious surface conversion
  • Permeable pavement
  • Pet waste receptacle
  • Riparian buffer
  • Stormwater wetland
  • Stream Restoration
  • Streambank and shoreline protection